ATLANTA FALCONS PLUS 3 POINTS vs. Jacksonville...:+thumbs-2
Best of Luck,
THE SHRINK
Best of Luck,
THE SHRINK
THURSDAY'S GAME 8/25/05
Atlanta Falcons - QB Rotation: Michael Vick (1st Q), Ty Detmer, Matt Schaub.
Note: Rosters must be trimmed to 65 by next Tuesday (August 30th) afternoon.
Most Falcons veterans will be used sparingly in the preseason, coach Jim Mora said. Vick took just 27 snaps all last preseason and just three in the 2004 exhibition opener. Mora indicated he'd probably follow last season's strategy of limiting Vick.
After three preseason games of experimenting with upstarts in the return game, Falcons Pro Bowl returner Allen Rossum is scheduled to get a heavy dose of action tonight. Rossum will return punts, where he earned a Pro Bowl berth last season and he will return kickoffs.
Defensively, the Falcons were easy pickings through the air and on third down last week. Five defensive starters were out, which was a factor. But 31 first downs allowed the Titans to dominate the time of possession ? 43 minutes to 17.
Offensively, the passing game ? including protection (three sacks allowed) ? remains an area of concern. Though coach Jim Mora said he expects flanker WR Peerless Price to be ready to play Thursday at Jacksonville (bruised ribs and a concussion), it could be too early to know if he'll be healthy enough to suit up.
An emphasis on protection for QB Vick: The coaches have tweaked the offensive line schemes a bit after surrendering 50 sacks last season, but it still needs work.
The Falcons have shown no signs of learning from their penalty woes, racking up 10 against the Titans to give them 30 penalties in three games for a total of 220 yards.
Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Rotation: Byron Leftwich (first half), David Garrard (3rd Q), Quinn Gray (4th Q), Nate Hybl.
With the exception of RB Fred Taylor, the other first-teamers figure to play at least the entire first half. "We'll see a lot more of the first units Thursday and look longer at both groups offense and defense," said Coach Jack Del Rio.
RB Fred Taylor is expected to make his first start of the preseason here. David Richardson, out with a knee injury since the first preseason scrimmage, worked out and may play. Also due to see more action are LB Jorge Cordova and OL Mike Pearson, both still coming back after major injuries last year.
Leftwich said he isn't concerned about the offense's slow start in the first two preseason games, and suggested that offensive coordinator Carl Smith is holding plenty back for the Sept. 11 opener against Seattle. "You haven't seen everything," Leftwich said. "You just can't."
The Jaguars also may have discovered a budding star in sixth round draft choice Chad Owens. Owens started as the third receiver ahead of veteran Troy Edwards and first round pick Matt Jones.Jones, relegated mostly to second-half duty with the reserves the past two games, has been practicing with the first-team offense as the No.3 receiver this week and is expected to do the same against the Falcons.
Secondary thin: CB David Richardson (ankle) missed last week's game. Rookie Scott Starks has been starting along with second-year pro Chris Thompson. Veteran free agent CB Kenny Wright has also been seeing time. "We're going to continue to shuffle those guys through and make it competitive," Del Rio said. "We just want to get a good, thorough evaluation before we make any decisions."
Carl Smith is the new offensive coordinator. He is a proponent of play action, something you will see a lot with his QBs in preseason. Smith said, "We're going to use the whole field this season."
I was on the wrong side. I played it early, as soon as Feists info came out. He had bad info. I just sat on it when news came out that Atl was going to play starters as long as Jax.:doh1Hope some others cashed in...